But while Lyle clinched the Order of Merit in his second and third seasons, Woosnam struggled and spent the early years on Tour traversing the continent in a camper van, living on a diet of baked beans to save money.

He eventually won his first Tour title, the Swiss Open, in 1982.

This sparked a dramatic leap from 104th on the Order of Merit after the 1981 season to 10 straight years in Europe's top 10, winning in 1987 and again in 1990.

After edging quietly up the world rankings, he became world number one on the Monday of Masters week in 1991 and six days later clinched the title at Augusta.

Woosnam stayed on top of the world for 51 weeks, and while the Masters remains his only major title so far, he has won 29 European Tour events.

After a slump in form and a battle with the yips at the end of the 1990s, Woosnam fought back with the help of Yorkshire golf coach Pete Cowen.

Going into the final round of the 2001 Open at Royal Lytham, Woosnam was in a four-way share of the lead.

But his world fell apart on the second tee when his caddie discovered they were carrying 15 clubs - one more than is allowed.

He was penalised two-strokes, effectively ending his challenge, though he hung on to claim third, four shots back.

Two months later, Woosnam's matchplay tenacity shone through again when he became the first player to win the World Match Play title in three decades (1987, 1990, 2001) - and, at 43, the oldest winner - when he beat Padraig Harrington in the final at Wentworth.

His appointment to help close friend Torrance three years ago was testament to the regard in which Woosnam is held.

And his enduring popularity on Tour and with the public has now yielded one of golf's ultimate prizes.

South African legend Gary Player wrote in the foreword for Woosnam's 2002 autobiography: "They say dynamite comes in small packages;

"Well, Woosie has been dynamite on golf courses around the world for the past two decades - and the game of golf will always be grateful."